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The wars of the grim dark future follow one after another, and the events of Space Marine 2 are just another battle on one of countless planets throughout the galaxy. The Tyranid threat is incredible to the Imperium, and the events players will see unfold are just a glimpse of what is happening around the galaxy.
The 40K Universe is always evolving and moving forward, with lore being introduced in books, tabletop codexes, and games such as Space Marine 2. For those wondering when this game takes place and how it fits into the universe, look no further.
When Does Space Marine 2 Take Place?
At the time of writing, the exact year isn’t known, but it is known that this game takes place during the Indomitus Crusade and one of many battles of the Fourth Tyrannic War. After Roboute Guilliman’s return, he became the Lord Commander of the Imperium and began the Indomitus Crusade to begin to reclaim lost worlds and connect the various fragments of the Imperium.
During the Indomitus Crusade, Hive Fleet Leviathan appeared in the Segmentum Pacificus, the western section of Imperial space. Hive Fleet Leviathan is arguably the largest Hive Fleet ever seen, and its return immediately drew the attention of the Imperium. Due to the Indomitus Crusade, the forces of the Imperium are separated and not prepared for a Tyranid invasion of this size, resulting in delays in getting troops to the front line of this war.
How Does Space Marine 2 Fit Into 40K Lore?
Tyranids Hive Fleets invade space in tendrils with their final goal seemingly being Terra. While the Tyranids operate in a single hivemind, their tendrils invade space in varying locations, splitting defenders by forcing them to defend multiple systems at once. As the Tyranid Hive Fleet spreads out, occasionally splinter fleets can break off from the main fleet to target additional worlds.
The events of Space Marine 2 follow the Ultramarines as they try to defend a planet in the galactic west from one of these splinter Fleets from Hive Fleet Leviathan. Overall, this game focuses on just a small fraction of the Tyranid force that makes up Hive Fleet Leviathan, and this world is one of many that are currently being invaded by Tryanid forces of the same size.
Other notable battles in the Fourth Tyrannic War that have already happened are:
- Oghram – The results of this battle result were decided by real-life tabletop games against Tryanid and Space Marine players that purchased the Leviathan box with the release of Warhammer 40K’s 10th edition, with the Tyranids winning the battle and devouring the planet.
- The battles of the worlds in the Sanctis Line, detailed in the Leviathan book.
- The Battle Of Bastior: A large army of various Imperium factions was barely able to hold off multiple tendrils of Hive Fleet Leviathan.
